Double

Hi all, 

I wonder what I should share with the world today. The Imitation Game (about Alan Turing’s life) was a more than satisfying movie experience, or my attempt at spicy chicken soup (chili, sesame, garlic and ginger are such a tasty marriage), or my upcoming holidays in Finland (I haven’t been there in more than 20 years), or the odd news of the day that watching cat movies might be beneficial to my and your day.

Or I could just share two nice deals from last time at HOK. All good things come in two, not?

South decided to pass first hand, though it seems like a very reasonable weak two or even preempt to me. I could even be persuaded to open 1. Kees opened 1 and North decided to overcall 2. Oh boy! Oh boy! Oh boy! I pass and patiently wait for hammerfall. South introduced his beautiful (though I might consider a natural 2NT myself). North had but a meager singleton and seemingly carefree rebid his suit. 

I said “No!” and pressed my X on the table, disclosing my trap pass.

Kees won my lead with his Queen and switched to the Jack of . Three rounds stand up and I move back to , completing my echo. The third round I ruff with the 6 and I get a strong Lavinthal signal from Kees, so I play my stiff for his Ace. A fourth round of (yes, in the triple chicane!) and my trumps get blessed with golden rays of sun. Declarer in panic ruffs with the 9 which I overruff with the Jack.

Now here’s the creamy cherry on top:

Kees ruffs my 3 with the 5 in front of declarer, promoting my K87 into two more tricks. Dust settles and we write down 6: +1400. Double digits imps, anyone?

A walk in the park:

West

North

East

South

 

pass

11

pass

22

pass

23

pass

34

pass

33

pass

3NT5

pass

43

pass

46

pass

43

pass

47

pass

78

a.p.

1. 16+
2. 8+ hcp, 4-5 or 5-4 minors
3. Relay
4. 8-11 hcp, 5-4
5. 3-1-5-4
6. 1 Ace
7. 1 King
8. That’s all I need

Declarer play pretty much took place during the bidding. If Kees had held just the Ace of and the stiff King of taking thirteen would still be odds on. Here the Queen of just made life a little easier. Picking up a hand with 50% face cards usually gives me a warm glow inside, but more than 60%? It’s like being on a diesel powered acid trip (or so I imagine). Another double digit pickup, for there was only one other pair that reached the grand.